Midco RE32 User Manual

INSTALLATION AND
SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS

ANSI Z21.17

CONVERSION

BURNERS

ECONOMITE MODEL RE32

Gas Conversion Burner

The ECONOMITE Model RE32 intermittent spark ignition conversion burner is adaptable to most gas utilization equipment,
including gravity and forced circulation furnaces and boilers, and is particularly recommended for horizontal and downdraft gas
utilization equipment since it needs no draft to maintain a pilot. Power burner design makes it perfectly suited for oil burner
replacement.
In the United States, installation must conform with local codes or,

in the absence of local codes, with Installation of Domestic Gas

Conversion Burners, ANSI Z21b-latest edition, and National
Fuel Gas Code, ANSI Z223.1-latest edition, available from

American National Standard Institute. Further reference should
be made to the recommendation of your fuel supplier.

NOTE: Any additions, changes, or conversions required in order for

the gas utilization equipment to satisfactorily meet the application
needs must be made by a MIDCO distributor (or other qualified
agency) using factory specified and approved parts.

In Canada, installation must conform with local codes or, in the

absence of local codes, with Installation Codes for Gas Burning

Appliances and Equipment, CGA Standard CAN/CGA 1-B149.1
or 2. When the conversion burner is used on Forced Air Central

Furnace, the two yellow and black warning labels in the literature
envelope shall be attached in accordance with Installation Code,
CGA Standard CAN/CGA 1-B149, Clause 5.4.4.4. Further
reference should be made to the recommendation of your
fuel supplier.

INSTALLER: Inform and demonstrate to the

user the correct operation and maintenance of
this gas utilization equipment. Inform the user

Do not store or use gasoline or other
flammable vapors and liquids in the
vicinity of this or any other appliance.

● Do not try to light any appliance

● Do not touch any electrical switch;

do not use any phone in your building.

● Immediately call your gas supplier

of the hazards of storing flammable liquids
and vapors in the vicinity of this gas utilization
equipment and remove such hazards. Affix
this manual adjacent to the conversion burner.

● If you cannot reach your gas

supplier, call the fire department.

CODE COMPLIANCE IS THE SOLE
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE INSTALLER.

USER: Retain this manual for future reference.

If other than routine service or maintenance
as described in this manual is required,

Installation and service must be
performed by a qualified installer,
service agency or the gas supplier.

contact a qualified service agency. DO NOT
ATTEMPT REPAIRS. An inadvertent service
error could result in a dangerous condition.

SAFETY INFORMATION TERMS: The following terms are used to identify hazards, safety precautions or special notations and have
standard meanings throughout this manual. When you see the safety alert symbol and one of the safety information terms, as
shown below, be aware of the hazard potential.

DANGER: Identifies the most serious hazards which will result in severe personal injury or death.
WARNING: Signifies a hazard that could result in personal injury or death.
CAUTION: Identifies unsafe practices which would result in minor personal injury or product and property damage.

WARNING: If the information in
these instructions is not followed
exactly, a fire or explosion may
result, causing property damage,
personal injury, or death.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SMELL GAS

from a neighborÕs phone. Follow the
gas supplierÕs instructions.

MIDCO International Inc.

4140 WEST VICTORIA STREET, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60646 / [phone] FAX: [phone] / http://www.midco-intl.com

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

197

8470-01

SPECIFICATIONS

NATURAL or PROPANE Gas

AIR DELIVERY

MAXIMUM FIRING RATE**................................300MBH***

MINIMUM FIRING RATE**...................................50MBH***

TUBE DIAMETER................................................4 inches

TUBE LENGTH......................................2

MINIMUM COMBUSTION CHAMBER SIZE

300 MBH...................................7" W x 11" L or 10" dia.

50 MBH.....................................6" W x 10" L or 9" dia.

GAS PRESSURE REQUIRED

NATURAL..........................................4.0" to 14.0"W.C.

PROPANE.........................................4.0" to 14.0"W.C.

STANDARD VOLTAGE..........120 Volts.............60 Cycle

PILOT SAFETY.........................Electronic, 100% shut-off

MAIN AUTOMATIC VALVE...........4 Function Redundant

*SCFM = Standard Cubic Feet/Minute
**All Ratings Based on 1000 BTU/Cu. Ft. NATURAL, 2500

BTU/Cu. Ft. PROPANE at Sea Level Derate burner for

altitudes over 2,000 feet by 4% for each 1,000 feet above

sea level
***1 MBH = 1,000 BTU/Hr.

One gallon fuel oil = 140,000 BTU/Hr.

(Approx. Air Delivery at Zero Draft).....62SCFM*

1/2 - 61/4 inches

PART 1 INSTALLATION

CAUTION: The ECONOMITE RE32 is not intended for
outdoor installation and must be protected from excessive
moisture. Provide adequate clearance for service and
proper operation.

I VENTILATION

If the former automatic oil burner gave trouble-free operation, it
is probable that the gas utilization equipment area has sufficient
infiltration of air for combustion and dilution of flue gas.
Nevertheless, the area must be checked:

■ Open basement or utility areas of normal construction,

without storm windows or tight doors, will generally allow
sufficient air infiltration. However, if the gas utilization
equipment is located in a tight or separate room, ventilation to
an open area as described above will be required. Install two
permanently open grilles, each sized on the basis of one
square inch free area per 1,000 BTU (but not less than 100
square inches) of the total input ratings of all gas utilization
equipment in the combined space. One grille should be located
within 12 inches of the ceiling, the other within 12 inches of the
floor.

■ If the gas utilization equipment is located in an area of

unusually tight construction, or if an exhaust fan, kitchen
ventilation system, clothes dryer and/or fireplace is installed in
the building, provision must be made for an outside air supply
near the gas utilization equipment area. Install permanently
open grilles sized at not less than one square inch free area per
4,000 BTU of burner input. When ventilating through horizontal
ducts, grilles should be sized at not less than one square inch
free area per 2,000 BTU of burner input. In any case, the
minimum dimension of rectangular air ducts shall not be less
than 3 inches.

■ In Canada, for detailed ventilation requirements, refer to

standard CAN/CGA 1-B149.1 or .2 and/or local codes.

around door frames, to prevent leakage into or out of the
combustion chamber.

■ The access or firing door should open easily to relieve

pressure. If positive latches exist, they should be modified to
permit easy opening; a spring loaded door holder is
recommended.

■ On all boilers, make certain the pressure relief safety valve is

in good operating condition.

III COMBUSTION CHAMBER

A combustion chamber liner is normally required to protect
non-heat transfer surfaces and to provide a radiant bed for
rapid heat transfer to the primary surfaces of the heat
exchanger. In most cases an existing oil burner combustion
chamber liner can be used, if in good condition.

■ In the case of wet base boilers, where the entire combustion

chamber is comprised of heat exchange surfaces and no
combustion chamber liner was provided for oil firing, a liner is
usually not required for the ECONOMITE. However, a liner or
target wall may be necessary if the combustion chamber is
unusually short, in order to avoid excess flame contact on the
heat exchanger walls or flueways.

■ If a built up combustion liner is required, use 2300

minimum insulating material.

■ The opening in the combustion chamber must fit the burner

tube. If an existing chamber with an oversized opening is to be
used, fill the remaining space around the tube with refractory
material and seal air tight.

NOTE: In no case should the burner tube be allowed to extend
into the chamber proper; it must be set flush to 1/4" short of the
inside surface, because high combustion chamber
temperatures will cause premature pilot deterioration.

■ Burners are shipped with the burner tube at its fully extended

length of 6
following steps (see Figure 1):

1. Uncover the Burner Tube Clamp access port located on the

2. Turn the exposed screw counter-clockwise to loosen

3. Turn the Pilot Tube Clamp Nut (see Figure 1)

4. Push Burner Tube in to desired length and tighten

5. Locate the retention plate at least 7/8 inch but not more

6. Cut the Pilot Tube to the appropriate length and

1/4 inches. To reduce the tube length, complete the

lower right side of the burner box (under motor),
adjacent to the mounting flange.

the Burner Tube Clamp.

counterclockwise, to loosen the Pilot Tube.

Burner Tube Clamp and recover access port.

3/8 inch from the end of the burner tube and tighten

than 1
the Pilot Tube Clamp Nut.

reattach tube fitting using compression sleeve supplied in
spud-bag.

o

F

II PREPARATION OF THE GAS

UTILIZATION EQUIPMENT

■ Clean the gas utilization equipment heat exchanger interior,

combustion chamber and flue connections. Remove all
adhering tars, scale, dirt and soot. Inspect equipment for actual
leaks and/or potential leaks.

■ Cement all joints, including those in the equipment base and

FIGURE 1 Burner Tube Adjustment

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FIGURE 2 Dry Base Boiler With Combustion Chamber

Liner (Furnace Construction is Similar)

WARNING: BURNER CABINET MUST BE MOUNTED
IN ORIENTATION SHOWN IN FIGURES 2 AND 3.
ANY OTHER MOUNTINGS MAY CAUSE DANGEROUS
CONDITION, AND WILL VOID BURNER WARRANTY AND
AGENCY APPROVALS.NON-STANDARD ARRANGEMENTS
MAY BE AVAILABLE FOR SOME MODELS; CONSULT
FACTORY FOR DETAILS IF REQUIRED.

■ Before permanently setting the burner in place, check

retention plate and pilot assembly to make sure they are free
of foreign materials.

IV CHIMNEY, VENT CONNECTOR, AND

DRAFT CONTROL

WARNING:The chimney shall be inspected for unsafe
conditions such as deteriorated masonry and excessive
soot or other blockage or potential blockage. Installation
must conform with local codes or in the absence of local
codes with ANSI Z21.8-latest edition and NFPA, ANSI Z223.1

- latest edition

WARNING: THE VENT CONNECTOR SHALL NOT BE
CONNECTED TO A CHIMNEY ALREADY VENTING SOLID
FUEL BURNING EQUIPMENT, AN INCINERATOR OR AN
OPEN FIREPLACE.

■ The Vent Connector shall be made of non-combustible

corrosion resistant material capable of withstanding the vent
gas temperature produced by the gas utilization equipment and
of sufficient thickness to withstand physical damage.

■ The Vent Connector shall be as short as possible. The

entire length shall be readily accessible for inspection, cleaning
and replacement.

■ The length of horizontal uninsulated Vent Connector

between chimney and a single gas utilization equipment shall
not exceed 75% of the height of the chimney above the
connector, or 100% if the Vent Connector is insulated.

Maximum Input Flue Pipe Diameter

64 MBH 4"
100 MBH 5"

143 MBH 6"

195 MBH 7"
225 MBH 8"
300 MBH 9"

TABLE 1: Recommended Flue Pipe Sizes

Source: ANSI Z21.8A-1990, Installation of Domestic Gas

Conversion Burners. For Other Applications, Consult

Appropriate Standards.

■ The Vent Connector shall be installed so as to avoid turns or

other construction features which create excessive resistance
to flow of vent gas. It shall be installed without any dips or sags
and shall slope upward at least 1/4" per foot.

■ A manually operated damper shall not be placed in the Vent

Connector or chimney of any gas utilization equipment.

■ The Vent Connector shall be firmly attached to draft hood

outlets and flue collars. Joints between sections of connector

FIGURE 3 Wet Base Boiler with Unlined

Combustion Chamber

piping shall be fastened by sheet-metal screws or other
approved means. The Vent Connector shall be supported for
the design and weight of the material employed to maintain
clearance and prevent physical damage and separation of
joints.

■ A draft hood or a barometric draft regulator shall be installed

in the same room or enclosure as the equipment in such a
manner as to prevent any difference in the pressure between
the hood or regulator and the combustion air supply. In no
case shall the relief opening of the draft hood or barometric
draft regulator be located at a point lower than the top of the
highest flue passage in the equipment.

■ Gas utilization equipment requiring controlled draft may be

equipped with a listed double acting barometric draft regulator
installed and adjusted in accordance with the manufacturerÕs
instructions if approved by local codes.

■ A device which will automatically shut off gas to the burner in

the event of sustained backdraft is required. It shall be of the
listed manual reset type and installed and adjusted by a
qualified service technician in accordance with the
manufacturerÕs instructions.

FIGURE 4 Draft Hood

FIGURE 5 Barometric Dampers

Figure 4 and 5 : Copyright by the American Gas

Association. Used by permission of the copyright holder.

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